Folding and pressing machine



March 22, 1960 c. A. PRICE Erm.

FOLDING AND PRESSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 3, 195

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mac m gwn CR Y B March 22, 1960 c. A. PRICE ET AL 2,929,537

FOLDING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY KRusseZZSteward,

THEIR AT T ORNE'YS March 22, 1960 Q A PRlCE ETAL 2,929,537

FOLDING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS BY RRuSSeZLSteU/'ard @EIR A TTORNEYS March 22, 1960 Filed Dec. 5, 1956 C. A. PRICE ET AL FOLDING AND PRESSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Charles A .Price R. RUSS eil, teu/*ard THEL?, ATTORNEYS United States Patent Q FOLDING AND PRESSHNG MACHINE Charles A. irice and Robert Russell Steward, Harring ton, Del.; said Price assigner to said Steward Application December 3, 1956, Serial No. 626,053

15 Claims. (Cl. 223-38) This application relates to a machine for forming sheet material into parts having folded edges, and more particularly relates to a machine for folding and forming fabric into pockets in condition to be sewed upon an article.

A number of machines of this general type have heretofore been suggested. These existing machines may be divided into two general classifications. In one type of machine represented by the devices described in U.S. Letters Patent 2,317,817, 2,609,129 and 2,673,666, a lower pressing plate moves upward to compress the edge of the fabric looped about the edges of an upper forming plate against folding members whose upward movement is restrained by a frame.

Another type of existing machine is described in vU.S. Letters Patent 2,238,048 and 2,453,623, and utilizes an upper template which is extracted from the folds to permit the folded edges of the blank to be pressed in position.

Both of these machines are relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture because of the complex movements which they incorporate.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple and economical machine for folding and fixing the edges of a blank of sheet material. Another object is to provide a machine of the type described which is simple, eicient and dependable in operation.

In accordance with this invention, a machine for foldling and fixing fabric includes a base plate and a frame spaced a predetermined distance above and substantially parallel to the base plate. A pressing plate which passes within the inner border of the frame is mounted so that 'it can move through the frame against the base plate and also assume a position above and clear of the frame, and a pair of fabric-folding plates are supported between vthe frame and base plate a predetermined distance above the base plate. After a blank of fabric is pressed firmly against the base plate by the pressing plate with the edges of the fabric held upward by the inner border of the frame, the folding plates are moved towards the pressing plate to rmly drag and wedge the fabric into contact with the upper surface of the pressing plate. The edge of the fabric is, therefore, firmly squeezed against the base plate lby the bottom of the pressing plate and against the top of the pressing plate by the lower edges of the folding plates. After the folding plates are retracted clear of the path of travel of the pressing plate, the pressing plate is moved upward to permit a folded and fixed blank of fabric to be abstracted from the machine.

The eiiiciency of the machine may be enhanced by heating the base plate and pressing plate by steam passages, for example, and by injecting a puff of dry steam into the creased portion of the fabric immediately prior to actuation of the folding plates. The folding eciency of the folding plates and pressing plate are improved by tapering the edge of the pressing plate to a relatively sharp edge which helps define a sharp folding crease and assists in the dragging and wedging action of the folding plates.

V28 attached to the base 30 of the machine.

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It is especially desirable to actuate each of the motions in a predetermined sequence by means of a single lever in order to simplify and facilitate operation thereof. An operating mechanism of this type may include a cam member having projections: for moving the pressing plate upward and downward, opening and closing a steam injection valve, and for moving the folding plates inward and outward.

The aforementioned and other novel features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which: A

Fig. l is a top plan view of an embodiment of invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken through Fig.A l along the line 4-4, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a rear view in elevation of a portion of the embodiment shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the embodimentshown in Fig. 1 with the upper plate removed;

Fig. 7 is a view in elevation, partially in cross section, of a portion of the control portion of the embodiment shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation, partially in cross section, of the portion shown in Fig. 7 in another phase of operation;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, partially in cross section, of the portion shown in Figs. 7 and 8 in still another phase of operation;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a pocket folded and xed by means of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view in elevation showing the relative positions of the folding and pressing plates prior to their inward movement; and

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. ll after the folding plates have moved inward. v

In Figs. l and 2, a machine 10 is shown prior to operation with the pressing plate 12 elevated over and clear of frame 14 which is spaced a predetermined distance above a base plate 16. Pressing plate 12 is small enough to pass through the inside border 13 of frame 14 to contact the top of base plate 16.

Pressing plate 12 is mounted upon a head 20 which is secured to arm 22 which ,is secured upon shaft 24 which pivots upon pointed ends of rods 26 secured to brackets Base 30 also supports the aforementioned frame 14 and base plate 16. All parts of this machine which require structural strength and rigidity are formed of a noncorrosive material such as stainless steel. Other portions of the machine which do not require high force resistant properties may be made of aluminum. Where steam piping is used, it may advantageously be formed of noncorrosive tubing such as brass or copper.

Referring to Fig. 3 in conjunction with Figs. l and 2, means are provided forisupplying a ow of steam to the head 2i) and to a plate 32 underlying base plate 16. Plates 16 and 32 may, if desired, be formed as a single unit, but fabrication is facilitated by making them as two separate pieces which are then joined to each other. Since plate 16 is in contact with the fabric, it should be made of stainless steel, whereas plate 32 may be made of ordinary carbon steel orbrass for example.

'this `through elbow 52 for example.

Steam is supplied to the machine by means of inlet pipe 34 and drained by means of outlet pipe 36. Steam is supplied to the upper head 2.0 by means ofv a flexible hose 3S which connects'to main vinlet 34 at T 40. YSteam is supplied'to internal cavity 42 of head 20 by means of tubing 44 inserted Within arm 22. Steam is drained from cavity 42 by tubing 46, flexible hose 48 and enters the main drain pipe 36 through T 50.

Main supply pipe 34 continues through to the remote end fobase 30 whereupon it enters kthe side-of block 32 Refeiring s particularly to Fig. 3, the steam is conducted through passage 54 Within block 32 which is drained at the Ybottom of block 32 'by means of drain pipe 56 which joins the main drain pipe 36.

A "supply of relatively dry steam is .abstracted from passageway S4 Yadjacent the inlet to blockv32 b y means of r'relatively dry steam becau'sethe heavier water particles tend to follow the straight path of motion past the inlet towards each otherV and close.

rto-'pipe 58 as the wet steam is discharged from elbow 52 through passageway 54. The relatively dryer Vandy lighter 'steam having less momentum can passinto passage L58.

Valve 60 is aplunger operated valve, for example,

and Vincludes an elongated stem 68 which communicatesV with a cone-shaped piston 70 which seats to seal the valve when stem 68 moves in a direction away'from the valve for example. Stem 68 is urged into the closed position by means of acoil spring 72 which reacts between a projection on stem 68 and the face of valve 60. The remote end of stem 68 terminates in a screw 74 which may be adjusted to vary the time and duration of the opening of vvalve 60. Stem 68 is actuated by .means yof apawl-like lever 76 pivoted upon cam 78 by means of a shouldered pin/80 for example. VVPaWl-likeilever 76 is maintained in Y Contact with projectionpin S2by means of tension spring `V84. -Lever 76, therefore, strikes the screw 74 at the end of stem 68 to actuate valve 60 as it moves toward the head'ofscrew 74, but is allowed to pivot out of the way of lthehead of screw 74 as it moves away from it so that 1the valve isnot actuated on the return movement of vthe ever. p lCam 78 is secured to shaft 86'which rotates within bearingsin Vbrackets 28 secured to frame 30. V`Shaft Y8 6 A:extends to one side of brackets '28 where it is joined by operating handle 88. Rotation of `operating handle 188, therefore, Lrotates cam 78 which includes projections -for operating each Aof the elements of the 'machine in proper* time. sequence to fold and 'x a fabric blank.V In

'addition to the aforementioned pawl-like lever 76 for actuating steam valve 60, cam 78 includes a Vsurface forf cooperating with follower Yor roller 90 tomove arm 22 up anddown and also includes projections or pins-92, l94 and 96 'formoving the folding plates towards andfaway from each other.

Y "a lever `98 is tirmly-secured topivotedshaft 24.which is also'fastened to arm 22. vRoller or. follower90 is rotatl'al'alymou'nted on arm 98.and .rides vupon the Vspecially shaped surface of cam v78to raiseV andloweiarm 221at designated periods. V Cam 78.inclndes .a;.deep depression Y100`wi'thin which roller 90 drops'to.. raise Varm 22a-,nd

:maintain it in .-a raised condition while. blanks, are; loaded into the machine. This deeprecess lili) maintains arm -22 securely locked in a Vraised condition in cooperation which causes roller 90 to rise as the cam is rotated by a backwardfmovement of handle 88. As roller 90 rises upon surface 164, it causes arm 22 to rotate downward which brings pressing plate 12 into contact with base plate 16.

Shortly after roller 90 moves upward out Yof recess 100 and over hump 164, pawl-like lever 76 strikes the head of screw 74 at the end of valvestem 68 lto momentarily open 'the valve to admit a puff of steam to a blank maintained in contact with plate 16 and over aperture 66 (Fig. 8).

Prior to this time, pin 92 which initially was in conf tact with the outside of folding plate operating lever 106 to maintain it riveted about shaft- 2 4 in a direction to moverod :Instawares t ontot thomachi o a d Couseguenty .to opentelding platesrlll, .away from lever 106 to permitsteni ,1418 to be moved towards the back of the machine to permit folding plates 110 topmove When .cani 7 8 .therefore, rotated from the positiontshown Ain Pig. 7 to the positionshown inl-iig. Si pins 94 and 9 6 assume Ypositions on either side of lever. 106 with pin 94 starting tov contact Vinside of lever 106.V After ,cam 78 has rotated to .the position shown in Fig 9, pinv has moved against lever .M26 to rotate it V.away from the `rnacllill, `and to closerfoldingplates 110 bymeaIlS Girod-108 in a manner later described in detail. Whenv 78 in rotatedin the'oppositedirection `by va forward pull on operating handle 8 8, pin 94 strikes the outside of le-ver 106 to Zmove ittowards Athe-machine .andto Oponrfoldingplates 110. When theoperatinghandle:is moved tothe fully forward position with roller 90 lying Within recess 100 (Eig. 7), pin 92 -oncemore :maintains lever106 securely pivoted towardsthe machine to maintain .foldingfplates 110 fully open. Y

Folding, plates 1.10 are mounted .within a .predetermined space-112'between'frame `r14 andbaseplate Y16 (see Figs. 4, V11i-and 1 2). 1Folding plates110aremaintained a predetermined `distance above `thelsurface of plate -16 .by means of spacers 114. ReferringtoFig. 6, itis seen that foldingplates -`11,0 and spacer plates 114 whicrhpt'hey overlie,v are substantially Lzshaped,A withttheir innenedges Ylying adjacentthe innenborder 1-8 of .frame V14. VSpacer .plates J1-1`4 are1maintainedin position upon basofplato 16 -Ybypins 1 ,18 extending through corresponding round vholes inplates 114. lEolding `p lates ,1,10are guided by pins 1118 whichaextend through .elongated AdaeOJml slot-S -;l20 in foldingplates-11.0. vAdjacentends of 4 folding plates llroverleps shown at'122 withfareas of reduced thickness tolie-.at within the predetermined space even when overlapped. The ends ofsparcer -pgates11147,howeveif,V terminate short ofeach otherV to 4avoidfthe problem of, overlapping. v Y

Referring to 'f1-iig. 6, -the-two vphases oft-movement of folding plates tllarershown with the'opened-condition shown in full Vline and theclosed :condition shown in broken line. -Plates 110 are -moved from vthe opened to ythe-closed position by l,means of alinkage including a crosslink=124=which isrconnectedto the ends of folding Y plates :110 bymeans offconnectingglinks 126; ylvlove- Y.slotlZ.in basepplate 6, also ,secure ,gross .link 12.4.10 bracket A 12:87. .Backward lmentY of fcross link 112,4; towards the front lofi, the machine opens plates l10n/hose movementsvare-guidedby-pins .118 and slots 5120, ,and Vbackward movement ofrrcross link ,124;closes plates 1.10 accordingly.

Thejorward rand backward movement is imparted to .cross Y linlcflzl ,from rod 108 andg-1ever 106 byQmeansof angular `bracket 12,8 attaoheditorod 108. Angulor bracket... 12,8` issecnredf t block V13.0.-=W 1 1 h-zldtzs within y mea of screwsQlSA which andfforwardrmovement..of rod 1,08frespe'rtvely losesnd opens foldingV plates 110. Y

Pins 118 perform an additional function to that .of orienting plates 11i) and 114. The'upper surfaces of pins 118 support frame 14 a predetermined distance 112 above base plate 16 (see Figs. ll and 12). Pins 118 are screwed, for example, into base plate 16 to permit their extension above plate 16 to be varied. This permits variation of space 112 to adjust the machine for fabrics of varying thickness. Plates 110 and 114 are easily removed by lifting away from pins 118 to permit replacement by plates of accordingly varying thicknesses. Adjustment of the machine may easily be achieved by adding additional spacer plates 114 or replacing the original plates 114 by plates of different thicknesses.

Operation Prior to insertion of a blank of fabric the machine is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with operating handle 88 extending in a forward position with arm 22 raised. A blank of fabric 136 is placed over the border 18 of frame 14 and lever 88 is pushed away from the operator which moves arm 22 downward into the position shown in Fig. 4 with pressing plate 12 maintaining the fabric pressed against base plate 16, as shown in Fig. 1l, and the outer edges 138 of the blank of fabric 136 held upward by border 1S of frame 14. Continued movement of handle 88 away from the operator to the position shown in Fig. 8 causes pawl-like leverV 76 to momentarily strike the head of screw 74 at the end of valve operating stem 68 which admits a puff of steam through apertures 66 which permeates the fabric adiacent the edge of pressing plate 12. The edge of pressing plate 12 is preferably tapered to a relatively sharp point to aid in creasing the fabric which facilitates folding and fixing. Since pressing plate 12 and base plate 16 are both heated preferably by steam to avoid scorching, it is not absolutely necessary to permeate the fabric with jets of steam through aperture 66, but admission of steam facilitates and improves the efficiency of the fixing and pressing operation.

When the lever is moved still further backward to the position shown in Fig. 8, valve 6i) is closed and pin 96 starts to contact the inside of lever 106 which com.- mences the closing movement of folding plates 110. At this time, roller 90 has moved un a slight incline on cam 78 to firmly squeeze fabric 136 against base plate 16 by downward pressure of plate 12. The slight incline on cam 78 provides considerable mechanical advantage for application of this pressure thereby permitting an operator to apply this pressure with expenditure of minimum force.

In Fig. 9, pin 96 has finished its outward movement of lever 106 which fully closes folding plates 110 with pressing plate 12 firmly maintaining fabric 136 in con.- tact with base plate 16. As shown in Fig. 1.2, folding plates 110 have moved towards each other and over the edges of pressing plate 12 and firmly drag and wedge the folded edge of the fabric into contact with the edges and upper surface of pressing plate 12. This dragging and wedging movement positively creases the folded edge and presses it in contradistinction to prior art operations which merely squeeze or press the fold. The tapered edges of pressing plate 12 assist in this dragging and wedging movement which unexpectedly provides accurately folded and firmly fixed folded blanks Such as pockets shown, for example, in solid line in Fig. l0.

An operator, accordingly can easily operate this mamachine with minimum expenditure of effort to provide a great number of accurately folded and firmly iixed pockets. This operation is facilitated by the single'lever operation which has heretofore been unachieved in a hand-operated machine. This single lever operation is made extremely easy by the lack of springs acting in opposition to the operating movements of the operator.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for folding and fixing fabric comprising a heated stationary base plate, a frame spaced a predetermined distance above and substantially parallel to said base plate, a pressing plate slightly smaller in area than the inner border of said frame and having a relatively thin edge which is thinner than said predetermined distance, movable means upon which said folding plates are mounted which permit it to move from a position above and free of said frame through said frame against said base plate to hold a blank of fabric irmly against said base plate with its edges maintained extending upwardly by the inner border of said frame, a pair of fabric-folding plates supported to slide in a confined path between said frame and said base plate to provide forceful sliding contact with the adjacent surface of said frame, means for moving said fabric-folding plates toward each other over theedges of said pressing plate, the edge of said pressing plate being tapered to form a sharp outer edge at its periphery to allow said fabric-folding plates to sharply crease said fabric around the edgeof said pressing plate, apertures being provided in said base plate adjacent the periphery of said edgev of said pressing plate for directing a flow of steam against the edge of said fabric folded over said pressing plate by said fabricfolding plates to permit the crease in said fabric about the edge of said pressing plate to be xed as said fabricfolding plates move together and drag and firmly press the edges of said fabric over and against said pressing plate, means for providing a flow of steam to said apertures, and means for moving said folding plates away from each other and clear of the path of travel of said pressing plate to permit said iixed and folded fabric to be removed from said pressing plate.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein spacing plates are provided between said folding plates and said base plate to maintain said folding plates in firm sliding contact with the lower surface of said frame a predetermined distance above the upper surface of said base plate.

3. A machine for folding and fixing fabric comprising a heated base plate, a frame spaced a predetermined distance above and substantially parallel to said base plate, a pressing plate slightly smaller in area than the inner border of said frame and having a relatively thin edge which is thinner than said predetermined distance, movable means upon which said folding plates are mounted which permit it to move from a position above and free of said frame through said frame against said base plateto hold a blank of fabric firmly against said base plate with its edges held upward by the inner border of said frame, a pair of fabric-holding plates supported between said frame and said base plate a predetermined distance above said base plate, means for moving said folding plates towards each other over said pressing plate against said upward held edges of said fabric to firmly drag and wedge said fabric into contact with the edges and upper surface of said pressing plate, means for moving said folding plates away from each other and clear of the path of travel of said pressing plate, said folding plates being comprised of a pair of L-shaped plates whose v motion towards and away from each other is guided by pins mounted in said base plate and inserted through diagonal slots in said folding plates, and the height of said pins being variable to permit adjustment of the distance between said base plate and said frame for accommodating folding plates of varying thickness to permit folding of fabric over a range of thicknesses.

4. A machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein a reciprocating linkage is connected to said L-shaped members by means of pivoted links to provide a positive movement of said folding plates towards and away from each other.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for providing steam to said apertures is comprised of a tangential off-take from said steam supply to said base plate to provide a substantially dry supply of steam to said apertures.

7 l 6,. Aemachine as set forth in claim 3 Ywherein said pins for guiding the movement `of said VVVfolding plates are straight sided to facilitate replacement'of said folding plates.

7; AV machine `for folding and fixing fabric comprising a heated base plate; a frame spaced a predetermined distance above and substantially parallel to lsaid base plate; a pressing plate slightly smaller in area than the inner border of said 4frame'and having a relatively edge which is thinner than said predetermined distance; movable means upon which said folding plates are mount- `ed whichpermit it to move from a `position above and freeVV of said frame through vsaid frame vagainst said base Plate to hold a blank of fabric rmly against said base plate with its edges held upward by .the inner border of said' frame; a pair of fabric-folding .plates supported between ASaid frame and said base plate a 4predetermined distance above said base plate; means for moving said folding .plates .towards Veach other over said pressing sllateagainst said :upward held edges .of said fabric:to iirmly drag and wedge said fabric into contact with aedges and upper surface of said pressing plateymeans for moving said folding plates away from veach other and clear of the path of travel of said pressing plate; said .base plate being mounted upon said frame; a shaft being rotatably mounted upon said framegvsaid shaft including yactuating means operatively connected to said movable .means for raising and lowering said pressing plate, .to a

' valve for operating said steam injecting apparatus, and to a means for operating said folding plates; anda single lever is connected to said shaft to Vpermit operation of Ysaid members in operative sequence by a single motion.

8.7A'machine as set forth in claim 7 .wherein a cam is mounted upon said shaft and said pressing v platel is secured to anV arm pivoted upon said frame, a follower in contact with said cam being connected to said arm and the surface of said cam including a recess for .holding said follower in position tomaintain said arm in a kraised condition, and said cam including asurface formed to actuate said follower to bring said pressing plate into Aintimate contact with said base plate upon rotation .of said operating lever and said'cam. f

9. A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said follower Vis comprised of a roller.-

10. A machine as set forth in claim'SVwherein said cam includes aV pawl-like projection Whichrstrilges the operating extension of said valve upon rotation of said cam immediately prior to inward movement of said folding plates.

11. A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein a .foldiclose said folding plates during the last phase of Irotation of said cam, and the third pin contacting theiirst ernen-V 'v tioned side of said lever to positively open said Ifolding plates when said lever is moved in a'dirreciiou to raise said arm. n

12. A machine as set forth in claim l1 wherein y,said arm,^ said follower and said folding-plate operating lever are secured to an auxiliary Shaft which is pvotally incanted upon said frame.

13. Aymachine as set forth in claim 8 wherein `the initial movement of said cam raises said roller out Aof said `recess in nosititm t0 :lower said .funiV tofbring l:Said folding plate-ini Vcuntac't cwith said base plate, said pawllike lever being positioned to then momentarily contact said valve extension .toadmit al utf Vof steam through said apertures vto lthe portion of said fabric adjacent the edge of said pressing platefsaid `pins for positively closing and `opening sad`fo'lding plates then rotating -to loosely grasp said folding plate operating lever there between, in the iinal phase of said cam saidV surface including ya vslight .rise 4to force vsaid pressing plate firmly against said base plate with ease ,of operation by virtue of mechanical advantage, said :second spin being positioned to contact the inner surface of said folding-plate operating lever to close said folding plates, and said pawl-like projection being fresiliently secured against 'an abutment to permit said pawlflilte projectionto ride over said valve extension without actuating 'fit when said cam isY rotated to raise said arm.

5,1'4. A machine for-folding 'and xng fabric comprising Ya heated base plate', ,a Vframe spaceda predetermined distance above .and substantially parallel to said base plate, a pressing plate Vslightly smaller in area than the inner border of said frame yand having a relatively thin edge which is thinner than said predetermined distance, movable means upon which said folding plates are mounted which permit it to move from a position above and free of said frame through Said frame against' said base plate to hold a blank of fabric firmly against said base plate with its edges held'upwar'd -by-theinner'border of saidframe, a pair of fabric-folding plates supported to slide ina confinedY path'between Vsaid frame and said baseV plate to provide forceful sliding contact vwith the adjacent surface of said Yframe, the edge of said Vpressing plate being constructed and arranged'to maintain 'a fold of fabric turned around said edge and iirmly pressed -between the surfaces of said folding plates' and .said ybase and upper surface of said'ipressing .plate to ex a fold in said fabric, means'for moving said folding plates away from each other and clear of the path of travel ofv said pressing plate to permit said'folded fabric Yto Vbe .removed kfrom said machine,and"said-foldingplates lbeing ycomsaid fabric-folding plates.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES rArisNTs 1,466,860 1,906,499 2,281,970 2.453.623 2,657,840 2,673,666 2,726,020

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